Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-03-05

The new gold fields discovered in
Southern Australia have been and are
exciting considerable interest and at
tention. This new discovery and the
reports which come from it have result
cd in the usual methods which so gen.
orally prevail in regard to these matters,
80 that history again repeats itself. The
gold was discovered about the first Of
October, and within sixty days over T.
900 men were on the ground and at
work; consequently the result will pro-
badly be a repetition of the old story so
often told in regard to these matters.
Many Of these men who are totally I'M
acquainted with mining and probably
unable to distinguish gold from other
metals when found, will fail in the real
ixation oftheir hopes. Others crowding
TO a center already more than occupied,
will fail to secure profitable returns.
Another class, more fayorably situated,
will succeed in finding enough to barely
pay expenses, while q still smaller pro-
portion with better knowledge, appli-
ances and advantages will reap a salts
factory harvest. The first two classes
mentioned WITH soon lead an exodus of
q forlorn hope out Of this country. and
the character of gold mining in this
new Southern Australian field will be
judged largely by the reports these men
bring. to justify their own foolishness
and ignorance. instead Of by the salts
factory returns made, wherever !egiti-
mate operations have been prosecuted.
Nearly thirty years ago the discovery
of gold in California, excited the atten-
ton Of the civilized world and thous-
ands of men focked to this new Eldora-
do. The history of the privations, losses,
disappointment of the great majority
are too well known to require repetition.
Nevertheless from that day to this Cali
fornia has maintained her position as
one of the chief go%ld-producing centers
Of the world; proving conclusiyely that
IL was not from the lack of gold that so
many failed but because wrong methods
were applied to secure the golden har-
vest.
More recent history Of the Cour de
Alene country in Idaho is a more vivid
presentation of the same example, yet
the steady output of gold from that coun-
try gives evidence that under proper
development it will make its record in
the history OF gold production. 1t may
not be necessary to remark that the
same results which have occurred from
the unreasonable o~ver-crowding Of min
ing fields would be repeated in any
other line of business where the same
conditions prevailed.
When these cases occur in other lines
Of business, it is attributed to the weak
ness and cupidity of those who are so
unwise as to make the attempt, but
when occurring in connection with min
ing operations, it is charged to the un-
certainty and speculative character Of
this great industry.
This Australian field is about $50
miles north of Adelaide. and is said to
be of alluvial formation, but the scarcity
Of water at present interferes with pro-
ftable working.
So long as the United States presents
90 many advantages and can offer such
superior opportunities for the develop
mont Of her mineral resources, it is add
ing Largely to the uncertainty and unpro-
fitableness Of this periodic excitement
by going into distant and practically I'M
known countries. The known gold
fields OF our country are as yet more
than scarcely touched, and it is certain
that new and UNEMPLOYED territories
will offer yet equal if not better induce
ments to the adventutesome explorer,
than any yet discovered. So there is no
good reason for American citizens to add
to the privations and well.known un-
certainties in mining, as in any other
new enterprises, by seeking this exper-
fence in other countries, where the diff
ficulties are certainly greater 20 oyer
come and distance adds obstacles to
safe return in case of INTERCHANGEABLE
cago Mining Review.